Goan adventure-seekers trek to Dudhsagar waterfalls

With more and more people stepping out post Unlock, many travellers have started visiting the

Dudhsagar

waterfalls in Goa by walking alongside the railway track! The

waterfall

is very popular among tourists, thanks to Bollywood and

travel

websites promoting it as one of the best waterfalls in the country, and is usually very crowded, despite the authorities controlling the crowd. This year however, with travel restrictions and fewer tourists, the waterfall which is still shut for visitors through the usual route has caught the attention of adventure-seeking Goan youngsters. Social media is flooded with photos and videos of the magnificent falls, this enticing more people to visit the mighty falls in the Western Ghats.

Rahul Chandran from Bicholim, who recently completed the trek with his friends say, "I've always wanted to go, but I've only been once before, but went by Jeep. I had never done the trek. Ever since the waterfall gained popularity due to the movie Chennai Express, so many tourists visit, but as someone who lives here, I had never done the trek. So a few of my friends and I decided to do it now. It was quite a tough walk, since we walked for a gopod 25-27 km to and fro from the railway track. There are shorter routes through the forest, but we didn't have a guide so continued from the railway track." Similarly, Shivanand from Ponda visited the falls with a bunch of his friends. He says, "The first view you catch after crossing the third tunnel is beautiful. There weren't a lot of people when we went, but it's getting increasingly crowded now."

Visitors claim the stretch is beautiful, though difficult. Rtd Cdr OP Singh, says, "I always wanted to hike to Dudhsagar waterfall since it is not just about the waterfall, but the rich biodiversity that one can see on the 12 km stretch from Kulem to the waterfall. This prompted me to take the rail track trail this monsoon, to Dudhsagar. The track trail did not disappoint me. I could see some beautiful trees, plants, butterflies, snakes, water-streams and tunnels enroute to the falls. All this made the trip great fun and education. A word of caution - please dress appropriately to save yourself from reptiles and insects; keep yourself adequately hydrated to counter humidity and heat. Also, ensure that you complete the hike at Kulem, well before sunset."